HRP – celebrating 40 years of innovation
For 40 years, HRP – The UNDP/UNFPA/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction – has been the main instrument within the United Nations system for research in human reproduction, bringing together policy-makers, scientists, health care providers, clinicians, consumers and community representatives to identify and address priorities for research to improve sexual and reproductive health.
- Gynecologic and Obstetric Investigation : A special issue for HRP at 40
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40 years of innovation in sexual and reproductive health
The Lancet, comment by Michael T Mbizvo, Catherine d’Arcangues, Paul F A Van Look, Giuseppe Benagiano -
New director at HRP
The Lancet - Profile - Vol 380 November 3, 2012
HRP at 40 – Among key achievements
During 2012, each month we will highlight a key achievement of HRP in its efforts to achieve universal access to reproductive health.
Strengthening national cervical cancer prevention and control programmes in countries
Cervical cancer is the second most common cancer in women worldwide, with about 529 000 new cases and 275 000 deaths each year, more than 85% of which are in developing countries. The lack of effective prevention and control programmes aimed at detecting and treating precancerous lesions in low-resource countries is one of the factors underlying the striking differences between industrialized and developing countries in cervical cancer morbidity and mortality rates. The use of an appropriate screening method is important to correctly identify women needing further follow-up, as early as possible, and to allow as many women as possible with precancerous lesions to be treated to prevent the development of cervical cancer.
HRP has assessed the acceptability and feasibility of implementing a cervical cancer prevention programme based on a “see and treat” approach using visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA) and cryotherapy, through the implementation of operations research in defined areas of six African countries (Madagascar, Malawi, Nigeria, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania and Zambia).
Based on the results of this research and lessons learnt, services are now being scaled-up by countries because: (1) nurses and midwives can do the tests with minimal equipment and supplies; (2) training of personnel can be accomplished quickly; and (3) test results are available immediately, thus allowing for prompt management and follow-up of women.
HRP is key member of the Intercluster working group on HPV and cervical cancer that coordinates global activities on cervical cancer including support to programmes and research in countries, and development of a global research agenda.
HRP is a currently supporting the United Republic of Tanzania to generate evidence of the operational capacity of careHPV, a rapid screening test. This evidence will permit consideration of scaling-up the introduction of this new test in the United Republic of Tanzania and to strengthen its cervical cancer prevention and control programme.
